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MRSA Facts
 Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a gram positive bacteria found commonly on the skin and in the noses of healthy people. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 25-30% of the general population is colonized with SA. SA can cause many different types of infection in humans ranging from skin, food poisoning, pneumonia, osteomyelitis and serious bloodstream infections. SSTI infections can take the form of a pimple, boil, folliculitis, furunculosis, carbuncle, abcess and cellulitis.
SA is a great example of evolution. SA has shown a great ability to acquire resistance to antibiotics that once were effective treatment options. Currently, 90% of all SA isolates are resistant to penicillin. Methicillin was introduced to combat penicillin resistant SA in 1959. SA responded to methicillin by acquiring the mecA gene thus gaining resistance (MRSA). Oxacillin is the latest of the penicillins in which SA has developed resistance (ORSA).
Originally, MRSA infected immunocompromised people who were confined to hospitals and long term healthcare facilities. Now, people outside of the hospital setting have become infected with MRSA. Community associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) are different strains than the nosocomial strains. Since 1999, the CDC has reported CA-MRSA outbreaks in children attending day care, IV drug users, prison inmates and among competitive sports participants. CA-MRSA is spread by person to person contact. Other modes of transmission are sharing towels, clothing, equipment and personal items. Sound infection control strategies must be implemented to combat MRSA.
Here are some links regarding CA-MRSA.
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